The first album by Pennsylvania's Rachelle Ferrell was a jazz project released only in Japan. This pop-soul followup curbs most of her jazz moves, but you can sense Ferrell's background in the way she slides gracefully thr... more &raquoough harmonies and in the way she brings a strong adult sensibility to the love songs. Like fellow jazz/R&B crossover artists Anita Baker and Oleta Adams, Ferrell is at her best on the smoldering ballads, where her smoky voice epitomizes sensuality. All the same, her Minnie Riperton-like wailing on the uptempo "It Only Took a Minute" will raise the hairs on the back of your neck. --Geoffrey Himes&laquo less

Synopsis

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The first album by Pennsylvania's Rachelle Ferrell was a jazz project released only in Japan. This pop-soul followup curbs most of her jazz moves, but you can sense Ferrell's background in the way she slides gracefully through harmonies and in the way she brings a strong adult sensibility to the love songs. Like fellow jazz/R&B crossover artists Anita Baker and Oleta Adams, Ferrell is at her best on the smoldering ballads, where her smoky voice epitomizes sensuality. All the same, her Minnie Riperton-like wailing on the uptempo "It Only Took a Minute" will raise the hairs on the back of your neck. --Geoffrey Himes

CD Reviews

A Classic....

Tom Conroy | Pittsburgh, Pa. USA | 04/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I jumped at the chance to review this CD, it has given me many hours of pleasure for years. There are singers and then there are vocalists who possess an instrument that is a gift from the universe to us. Phyllis Hyman, Angela Bofill, Dianne Reeves, Jean Carne...and Rachelle Ferrell. Ms. Ferrell has the gift, and she knows how to use it, not just with her formidable and lovely voice, but with her writing, arranging and keyboard skills. This CD is lush and ripe with all of her talents(helped by the production of George Duke), and it is one of those rare collections where you will enjoy every song. Personal favories include "I'm Special"(listen close to her range, she is smooth rather than in-your-face, take a lesson young screaming divas), "Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This", a sweet, sexy duet with Will Downing where they generously let each other shine,"I Know You Love Me", a toe-tapper made for a beautiful sunny day driving with the windows down, "Sentimental",a ballad of missed love, and the gospel-tinged, bluesy "Peace On Earth". I could go on and on. For those of you who know and love her music there is good news, according to David Nathan's R&B website newsletter, Rachelle has a new CD being released this July! Another reason to look forward to summer. This is talent we must support, lest we be stuck with the thin-voiced wannabes that are all over the charts."

ONE OF THE BEST

B. Jones | MEMPHIS, TN United States | 08/18/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I think of good music...beautiful songs..and the early 90's,I always think of Rachelle..This is by far one of her better releases.Songs like, ''Waiting...With open arms,Nothing has ever felt like this ''w/ Will Downing and the plea for a fathers love...''Too late'' make this an excellent cd choice.Its just as fresh now as it was back in 92."

Essential!

Honey | Heaven | 12/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No need to go into extreme details on this one! She is simply 'THE VOICE!" This is a terrific piece of work..but then again, nothing new there. From her complete instrumentals to the singing..she's awesome!"

The Voice of the Angels

Tom Rodgers | Jacksonville, FL | 12/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been down with Rachelle since 1992 and I also missed her for the 8 years she was on the "DL". The range of emotion she put the listener through almost compares to her vocal range. She is the most outstanding artist of this age. Ella Fitgerald of the 90's and 00's. Diva is highly overused but not in her case.In the age of Neo-Soul she should be our Queen! She needs to get the recognition she deserves, but no true artist is appreciated in this commercial age, are they?God bless her and her gift to all of us music lovers."

Rachelle Ferrell

WILLIE A YOUNG II | Houston, TX. | 06/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A testament to the power of true talent, excuse me, the truly gifted, this lush, gorgeous self-titled album is an absolute treasure. One wishes Ms. Ferrell would record more frequently, but due to a protracted legal battle that squelched her efforts for many years, we were forced to wait 8 years for a follow up. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Rachelle in concert at the Hampton Jazz Festival in July of 1996 and it was one of the greatest live performances I've ever witnessed! The emotion, passion, fire and dizzying vocal acrobatics were a wonder unto themselves, but the songs were the real stars! From "I'm Special", "Welcome To My Love", (my personal favorite)"Waiting"(listen to the way she stretches the letter 'I' into a passionate, longing wail of desire!), this classic album never dissapoints. From subdued, fireside intimacy to gospel shouting and modern funk, this LP has it all. Not to be missed if you like REAL SINGING."